Two years ago, I wrote about a kids carpentry set that included real tools that could do real work (it’s since been discontinued). Judging from the number of readers who viewed that post, there are a lot of people out there this time of year looking for a kids tool set with real tools.

If you’re one of those people, I’ve put together a list of the kids real tool sets that looked the best to me. A great gift to go with a tool set would be this tool box kit from Home Depot ($9.97), for a first official “project” to do with mom or dad.

This one is a 9-piece tool set from Grip-On-Tools, that includes drop forged, heat treated steel tools with double injected grip handles (wow. fancy.). Includes a 6″ adjustable wrench, 6″ slip joint pliers, 5″ long nose pliers, scissors, 7 oz claw hammer, two 4″ screwdrivers (flat, phillips), 12″ x 5/8″ tape measure, and a storage bag. It’s recommended for kids 4 and up (with adult supervision of course. Those scissors look pretty sharp to me.):

$30 at Amazon.com

The next is a 12-Piece LIL HELPER Junior Tool Set from Lowe’s. It’s made of plastic and steel and includes a Slotted Screwdriver,Phillips Screwdriver,5-Inch Mini Scissor,6-Inch Long-Nose Pliers,6-Inch Slip-Joint Pliers,6-Inch Diagonal-Cutting Pliers,6-Inch Adjustable Wrench,8-ounce Claw Hammer with Fiberglass Handle,12-foot Tape Measure,Safety Glasses,Pouch for packing up the tools and a work apron. Wouldn’t it be so much cuter with your kid’s name instead of “LIL HELPER” on the pouch and apron? Ah well, I guess it’s not always about being cute:

$19.98 at Lowes.com

Next, the KR Tools 12-Piece Builders Pal Children’s Tool Kit with Bonus Flashlight. It includes Two pouch four pocket Vinyl Tool Belt,6 ounce claw hammer, 10-foot tape measure,9-inch magnetic torpedo level,safety glasses,adjustable hard hat,leather gloves,6-inch try square,chalk line/plumb bob,4 ounce bottle of chalk,10-inch ruler, bonus flashlight, and perhaps most importantly, MORK FROM ORK SUSPENDERS!

$29.96 at Walmart.com

This next Brico set includes a solid wood tool caddy so you wouldn’t need to get the Home Depot kit. It also has an 8-oz. claw hammer with easy grip handle,10′ tape measure with belt clip, 9″ level,3/16″ x 3″ slotted screwdriver, 1″ x 3″ phillips screwdriver, 6″ slip joint pliers, 6″ adjustable wrench, 6″ carpenter’s square, 10″ ruler and safety goggles.

$37.99 at AlgraShopping.com

Finally, Restoration Hardware’s tool set for kids. It’s called a 25-piece tool set, but that includes a 9-piece socket set and an 8-piece hex key set, which is kind of cheating in my opinion. This “collection of high-quality steel tools” also includes a 1/4″-drive ratchet handle; two screw drivers (Phillips and standard); an 8-oz. claw hammer; 6″ slip-joint pliers; a 6′ tape measure; and a flashlight (two AA batteries not included). It’s recommended for ages 8 and up. Comes in a “sturdy truck-shaped plastic case”.

$26.99 (marked down from $39) at restorationhardware.com

If you know of any others, or have any of these tool sets, I’d love to hear what you think.